The Miami Dolphins have had a virtually flawless start to the 2022 NFL season, as they have gone 3-0 over their first few games and picked up some quality wins in the process.
Very few things have gone wrong, and countless things have gone right. However, five-time Pro Bowler Richard Sherman, who was one of the top defensive players in football during his prime years, recently noticed something about the Dolphins that he isn’t a huge fan of.
The 34-year-old broke it all down on Twitter.
Man studying this @Dolphins tape and boy I knew they played 0 in some tough situations but come on! These are no win situations for the DBs if the blitz doesnt get home. All 3WRs to the defensive Left no way to disguise it and the WRs just race across the field. Makes no sense.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 28, 2022
This is the play Smh. No reason for this call in this situation! Lets the O off the hook.pic.twitter.com/YbSUJRCuDP https://t.co/Y7MXWtesnZ
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 28, 2022
Why?!!?!! Its just lazy play calling! Put All the pressure on the DBs and everyone will say “Why didnt the DB just cover him!”. They dont even try to disguise it. Every Man Cov @Iamxavienhoward is on @stefondiggs. So when you see him in the slot easily identified Man Smh tough https://t.co/zZnzq9kD7A
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 28, 2022
Sherman showed love to Dolphins star Xavien Howard for playing at a high level despite being put in “impossible positions.”
Doing it at a high level. Overcoming the impossible positions he is put in! @Iamxavienhoward https://t.co/MLzviHR28v
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) September 28, 2022
It’s an interesting observation from Sherman. Miami’s coaching staff has been on the receiving end of a lot of praise since Mike McDaniel took over, but Sherman clearly isn’t afraid to go against the grain.
As for Howard, he has totaled four passes defended, nine solo tackles and three assists on tackles so far this season. He has played in all three of Miami’s games to this point.
Although Sherman seems to think the Dolphins should make some tweaks to their defensive tendencies, the unit has played well in two of Miami’s three games. The Dolphins allowed just seven points in Week 1 against the New England Patriots and 19 points in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills (with two of those points coming on a Miami safety).
The Baltimore Ravens had a big day against Miami’s defense in Week 2, but the Dolphins were able to win in a shootout.
The season is still young, so the Dolphins definitely have time to make adjustments on defense if they want to. However, the fact that the Dolphins are currently undefeated makes it hard to be terribly concerned about the matter.
Miami is getting ready to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday. It’ll be another good test for the Dolphins as they look to prove that they’re one of the best teams in all of football this season.
